In early May 1997 a committee, under the chairmanship of Patrick Mitchell decided to run an annual festival in the village of Carrigallen. It was decided that the August Bank Holiday Weekend would be the ideal time to commence the celebrations. The festival is now in it's 19th year and continues to be an ongoing success with a variety of events planned for 2016.

Margaret of New Orleans Mardi Grá Festival

Margaret of New Orleans Mardi Grá International Jazz, Trad & Food is upon us. Following many months of dedicated commitment and hard work by the committee they are delighted to present the highlights of the Festival programme. It is a four day festival commencing on Friday 1 July until Monday 4 July 2016. It will kick off at 7.30pm with the Hill Street Silver Marching Band leading the Mardi Grá parade, followed by the official opening by special guest from New Orleans and the newly crowned Leitrim Rose, at the New Orleans Quarter in the hall car park. Puppet Show at 9.00pm in the hall. The evening closes with The Ultimate Big Band Show from 9.00pm-11.00pm.

Saturday is a day of sporting activities with the MDI Race/Walk, kayaking on the Town Lake, and yoga in Bredagh Old School at 11.00am. Creative arts workshops include craft for 8–12 year olds in the library from 11.00am-12noon, music in Vocational School from 11.00-12.30, song writing in Vocational School from 11.00am-1.00pm, drama for 8-13 year olds from 12noon to 1.30pm in the Corn Mill Theatre, and dance & movement from 2.00-3.30pm in the Community hall.

Music on Saturday evening by Dixieland Jazz Band, from 7-9pm, in the New Orleans Quarter. An evening with Percy French in Bredagh Old School at 8.30pm. Saturday's events close with the Basskillers from 9.00-11.00pm.

Following Cemetery Sunday in St Mary's, enjoy an Ice Cream in aid of Down Syndrome Ireland at the National School. Then head for Tully South for the Heritage Day at Margaret's Cottage from 2.00-5.00pm. Music in the New Orleans Quarter by Blue Tack & the Green Horns from 7.00-9.00pm

The culinary highlight of the Festival will be Rachel Allen's Cookery demonstration on Monday evening, in the Corn Mill Theatre at 7.00pm. Admission €15 and booking at 04943 39612 or 08687 65377 between 10.00am-4.00pm. Complimenting Rachel will be local artisan food producers in the hall from 6.00pm.

There will be music in local pubs throughout the weekend. Themed BBQs on Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings, €10 per person, €5 per child. 1916 Transition Year Vocational School Art display runs in the Corn Mill Theatre from 7.00-9.30pm each evening. For further details visit www.margaretmardigra.com and download the festival programme or visit us on Facebook. The inaugural festival aims to bring the community together through arts, music and food to celebrate and promote the story of Margaret and Carrigallen.